This Week in Weird, Jan. 29

Marijuana causes evacuation of jail, an accused criminal gets crafty in his disguise and more in this week's edition.

Man causes evacuation while trying to light joint in jail

CANTON, Ohio - A jailed Bethlehem Township man, held in lieu of $1 million on charges from a citywide crime spree, caused one part of the jail to be evacuated when he damaged a light while trying to light a marijuana cigarette, according to Stark County Jail records.

Richard A. Burghy, 18, had been charged with felony failure to comply with police and five counts of aggravated robbery, Stark County Court records show.

An additional $25,000 bond was added against Burghy this week when he was arrested at 6:37 a.m. Monday on a felony vandalism charge at the jail for damaging the light, which in turn forced the evacuation, jail records said.

The jail records did not say how Burghy obtained the marijuana.

Police say man posed as burn victim in series of crimes

HORNELL, N.Y. - An Alfred Station man who allegedly disguised himself as a burn victim was charged by Alfred police over the weekend with several theft-related felonies.

Police said the criminal activity began two weeks ago when Ronald Rossborough, 39, stole a checkbook at an Alfred Station residence and then wrote checks for high-priced items and gift cards at Wal-Mart, Lowe’s and other retail stores.

Rossborough would then return purchased items for cash, police said, and use the gift cards to purchase more goods, which he then would return for cash. Police said that as they followed the stolen check trail from store to store, and then county to county, they found it difficult to identify Rossborough because he had disguised himself as a burn victim wrapped in bandages.

Investigators from Genesee, Livingston, Steuben and Wyoming county sheriff’s departments joined in the probe, as Rossborough wore the same disguise and had the same method of operation in stores in all four counties.

The case finally broke in the Geneseo Wal-Mart when security cameras there captured an image of Rossborough not in disguise.

On Thursday, Alfred police, with deputies from the Genesee, Livingston and Wyoming sheriff’s departments, served a search warrant at Rossborough’s home and found him in possession of stolen merchandise, gift cards and checks.

Rossborough was charged with second-degree burglary, fourth-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny. He was arraigned in Alfred town court and sent to the Allegany County jail after failure to post bond of $10,000. Police say further charges in other counties are pending.

Doctor accused of exposing himself to female patients

CANTON, Ohio - Dr. William H. Fiegenschuh’s career and reputation are on the line over allegations he exposed himself to and had inappropriate contact with female patients.

His trial began Thursday in Municipal Court.

Fiegenschuh, 62, has pleaded not guilty to four counts of public indecency and two counts of sexual imposition. All the charges are misdemeanors.

City prosecutors say Fiegenschuh exposed himself to four women and had physical contact with two. The alleged conduct occurred between October 2007 and May of last year, according to court papers.

At the time, Fiegenschuh was the medical director of Mercy Medical Center’s alcohol and drug treatment program.